Portable hammock

ABSTRACT

A portable hammock for outdoor use has a suspended sleeping surface being suspended on a position above and untouchable to the ground, and has a support frame consisted of a pair of inclined erecting means, between which there is a X-shaped scissor linkage or its assembly being connected therewith. There are two connecting means providing connections to scissor linkage and/or a pair of legs with the inclined erecting means, of which one is a slidable connector disposed over the inclined erecting means, and the other is fixed at the bottom end thereof. The advantages are its flexibility in design, which can meet various demands in use, and it also consist in its environment protection without hurting the trees.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) for ChinesePatent Applications No. 03270263.9, filed Sep. 23, 2003, titled“Portable Folding Suspended Bed” and No. 200410078916.5, filed Sep. 20,2004, titled “Portable Folding Suspended Bed.”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a hammock, and, moreparticularly, a portable folding hammock.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relate to a portable hammock for outdoor use. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a collapsible and folding onehaving scissor linkage as a length adjustable connecting member.

Inventors have provided a great variety of devices for support andconfining a baby or toddler, but it is hard to find a portable sleepingunit for adults use to enjoy outdoor fun, which needs strong, rigid, andstable supports at the same time possessing the merits without hurtingtrees, easy to pitch and collapse, easy to transport and use,particularly for camping and other outdoor recreational activities. Weknow the conventional hammock for outdoor use needs the aid of tree tobe fastened thereto, it often hurting the tree. The portable hammock asis shown in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,113,537 is weak to support an adultpeople, and is only suitable for child use.

SUMMARY

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a portablecollapsible outdoor-use hammock which can be easily set up, and whichknocks down to a very small, lightweight, and easy-to-carry package. Itis mainly for outdoor use, for instance, camping in forest, sleeping onsunshine-sheltered grass or private garden.

The further object is to provide a hammock for outdoor use, which canbear a heavy burden of sleeper's weight.

The other object of the present invention is to provide anenvironment-protecting hammock for outdoor use, it would not hurt thetrees being needed for providing fastening the bed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the designs of thehammock capable of flexibly changing its construction to achievedifferent demands in use.

These objects are realized in a portable folding suspended sleeping bed,which includes a characterized support frame and a sleeping surfacesupported thereby. It preferably has at least two wheels to facilitatethe bed being moved in the site. And its collapsible construction isconvenient to be transported as well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. is an elevation view of the frame of the first embodiment of thepresent invention in its collapsed condition.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the frame of the first embodiment in itsextended condition.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the frame of the first embodiment in itshalf-extended condition.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a bed of first embodiment in usecondition.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the bed of the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a local enlargement perspective view of the second embodimentreflecting the connection and locking relationship between thecomponents, inclined erecting pole, x-scissor, a pair of leg, of theframe.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bed of the second embodimentreflecting in its use condition.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the bed of the third embodimentreflecting in its use condition.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a multi-direction lower connector of theportable folding hammock of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides a novel suspended sleeping bed, which hasa quickly stretchable, pitchable frame and also has a removablesuspended sleeping surface removably fastened on the frame. The bed hasan enough support for adult use. The longitudinally arranged suspendedsleeping surface made of flexible or textile materials, which has thehanging or suspension means such as hooks, ropes, width maintaining barsetc., at two longitudinally opposite ends for having the suspendedsleeping surface securely fastened at the erecting support meansmaintaining on a position untouchable the ground.

The support frame provides a rotating connection to the suspendedsleeping surface by means of rope fastening. The characteristics are:the support frame comprises a pair of erecting support means which standat both the opposite end of longitudinally suspended sleeping surfacefor providing a rotating connection to said suspended sleeping surface.The pair of erecting support means preferably is an inclined “one-pole”configuration standing at each end of longitudinally suspended sleepingsurface, which have at least one extensible x-shaped scissor linkageconnected there between, each said extensible x-shaped scissor linkagehas an one-point hinged joint constituted by two intersected cross barshingedly joining at their central position.

According to demand for different length of the bed, the choice of thenumber of x-scissor linkage can meet the demand to the length of thebed. One or more in series arrangement of x-scissor linkage may be usedso that desirable length of the bed can be reached. As to stability ofthe bed, the arrangement using two x-scissor linkages in each sideparalleled with the longitudinal-line of the bed can increase thestability of thereof, thus it can bear heavier weight of the sleeper.The four x-scissor linkages arrangement (each side of the bed have twoscissor linkage in serial connection according to the longitudinaldirection) is available for both increasing of stability and enlargingthe length of the bed for the special use such as simultaneouslyaccommodating two peoples.

The longitudinally arranged suspended sleeping surface has a widthconfining rigid bar at each longitudinal end thereof, through fasteningrope and said rigid bar, the two ends of the suspended sleeping surfacerespectively being connected with a inclined erecting support means ofthe support frame at two longitudinal opposite ends thereof. As anoption the arrangement of directly connection between the suspendedsleeping surface and the erecting support means without width confiningrigid bar is available.

The inclined erecting support means are two inclined erecting poles,each of them is respectively disposed at one end of two longitudinalopposite ends of said suspended sleeping surface, which maintains aninclined angle ranging from 45° to 85° in respect to the ground forincreasing the capability of bearing burden of the sleeper's weight andto provide the sleeper a more wide and more open space facing the sky.There is a locking hole being disposed on a inner-oriented surface ofthe inclined erecting pole to provide a stop of upward moving of theupper sliding connector by means of a lock-pin so that it prevent a pairof inclined erecting poles from rotating respectively around theirconnecting pins avoiding them being collapsed inwardly.

There are one or more extensible x-shaped scissor assembly beinghingedly connected there between forming a overall support frame. Eachinclined erecting support pole has at least two leg-bars hingedtherewith through the connection means at lower part thereof.

The connection means includes a lower connection seat fixed at bottomend of the inclined erecting pole, and a slid able upper connector seatdisposed over the inclined erecting pole, and which may be amulti-direction connector providing a hinged connections between thepole and the legs or between the pole and an “X-shaped” scissorassembly.

The two leg bars lock ably hinged joining with said upper connectorthrough its multi-direction seat. The two leg bars may also be lock ablyhinged joining with said lower connector through its multi-directionseat are kept a substantial aligned horizontally ground-engaging state.

The extensible “x-shaped” scissor assembly is constituted of at leastone “X-shaped” scissor linkage forming a rigid plane configurationbetween two inclined erecting poles for securing therewith when it beingextended, and which is connected with the inclined erecting poles via ansliding upper connector and through a fixed lower connector of saidinclined erecting poles. Said rigid plane configuration may comprise two“X-shaped” scissor linkages when the bed needs more long length alongits longitudinal direction.

The inclined erecting support means may have its modifiers, for example,an “A” shaped frame can be substituted for the “one-pole” constructionabove mentioned for providing more stable support and bearing more heavyload. In such a case, the “A” frame constitutes of two inclined tubespreferably having rectangular or square section, which intersect attheir top ends forming a joint, and has a cross brace horizontallydisposed there between for increment of rigidity and strength of the “A”frame. There are an upper sliding lockable connector and a lower fixedconnector, which are disposed on the lower part of each inclined tubingmember of the “A” shaped frame. Between two “A” frames there are twolines of “X-shaped” scissor linkage(s), each of them is disposed on eachside of the bed in parallel with longitudinal direction of the bed forconnecting therewith, and providing a formation of an overall supportframe of the bed. Each A-frame includes a pair of inclined tubingmembers hinged together at their upper end and normally spread apart bya cross-brace which can be collapsed to allow the A-frame to foldtogether.

The present invention provides more flexible options to change thelength of the bed and its stabilities to meet different demands when itis in use. Through selecting the number of scissor-linkage can achievethe length changing of the bed. And the A-frame as an inclined erectingmember may maintain an inclined angle in respect to the ground toincrease the stabilities of the bed for support heavy weighted people.Such merits have not been found in the art. The “A” shaped framesmaintain an inclined angle ranging from 45° to 85° in respect to theground.

Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 show the first embodiment of the presentinvention. It is comprises mainly two parts, which are a suspendedsleeping surface designated by reference numeral 12 and an easilystretchable and collapsible support frame thereof.

The longitudinally arranged suspended sleeping surface 12 made offlexible materials, which has the hanging or suspension means such ashooks 1, ropes 13, width maintaining bars 21 etc., at their twolongitudinally opposite ends for being tied to be maintained on aposition untouchable the ground.

The support frame for providing an oscillating able connection to saidsuspended sleeping surface 12 by means of rope tying. Thecharacteristics are: said support frame comprising the inclined erectingsupport means 2 which stand at each end of longitudinally arrangedsuspended sleeping surface 12 providing an oscillate able connection tothe suspended sleeping surface 12, the collapsible and extensiblex-shaped scissor assembly which consists of two scissor linkages ishingedly connected between two above mentioned inclined erecting supportpoles 2. Each linkage further consists of two scissors-bars beingconnected together through a hinged joint. The first scissor-linkage isconsists of the bar 5 and 8 with hinge point 16. The secondscissor-linkage is formed by intersecting two scissor bar 7 and 10through a hinged point 18.

The inclined erecting support means 2 may be aluminum alloy or steeltube having a rectangular or square section, the section of scissor-barsare also as the same.

The longitudinally arranged suspended sleeping surface 12 has a widthmaintaining rigid bar 21 at each longitudinal end thereof, through tyingrope 13 and said rigid bar 21 the two ends of the suspended sleepingsurface 12 respectively being connected with a inclined erecting pole 2of the support frame at two longitudinal opposite ends thereof. Theaforementioned inclined erecting pole 2 is an “one-pole” support member,it means that at each end of the sleeping surface in longitudinaldirection there is only one standing inclined erecting pole 2 existing.The inclined erecting support means of the bed totally have two inclinederecting poles 2, each of the two is respectively disposed at one end oftwo longitudinal opposite ends of said suspended sleeping surface 12,and which forms hinged connections with the extensible x-shaped scissorsassembly and with at least two leg-bars 3 through the connection means.The connection means is a lower connector 17 fixed at bottom end of saidinclined erecting pole 2, and is a slid able upper connector 15 disposedover said inclined erecting pole 2. Each one-pole inclined erectingsupport means has two connectors thereon, that is an upper connector 15and a lower connector 17. The upper connector 15 has a multi-directionconnecting seat (refer to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 but no enlarged drawing withreference numbers illustrating each member thereof) providing the hingedconnections between the pole 2 and a pair of legs 3, and between pole 2and scissor linkage 10. Two legs 3 exhibit a “_” shaped pose standing onthe ground. The upper sliding connector 15 is disposed over the erectingsupport pole 2, and which consists of a multi-direction seat havingthree pairs of hinge plate thereon. Each pair of hinge plates are fixedwith a hinge pin. There are at least two locking holes (not shown)opened on a hinge plate, which is for accommodating a spring biasedlocking nipple (not shown) entering to maintain the leg 3 securing atits stretched or collapsed state. When it is stretched a pair of legmembers exhibit a “_” shaped pose, the lower connector 17 has no suchseat similar as upper connector 15.

The wheels 4 provide the convenience to move the sleeping bed forchanging place. A hook 1 secured at the top of the inclined erectingpole 2, provides an anchor for tying one end of the sleeping surface 12through width maintaining bar 21 and rope 13.

The extensible “X-shaped” scissors assembly is constituted of two“X-shaped” scissor linkages which are mutually hinged joining togetherthrough joint 6 and 9. In order to acquire a long length of the bed, two“X-shaped” scissor linkages are used. The scissor bar 5 and 8 form afirst scissor linkage while the scissor bar 7 and 10 form asecond-scissor linkage, two linkages jointly form a rigid planeconfiguration between two inclined erecting poles 2 for connecting andsecuring with two inclined erecting poles 2 which respectively stands atan longitudinal end place of the sleeping surface 12.

The first scissor linkage has a hinge point 16, while the second scissorlinkage has a hinge point 18. First scissor linkage connects to secondscissor linkage through the hinged connectors 6 or 9 in seriesconnection. The two-linkage scissors assembly is connected with theinclined erecting poles 2 via a sliding upper connector 15 and through afixed lower connector 17. The scissor bar 7 and 8 have their outer endshinged with the lower connector 17 through hinge pin 11.

Every scissor linkage have their two connecting ends respectivelyconnects with upper connector 15 which is slidingly disposed over theinclined erecting poles 2 and lower connector 17 which is fixed at thebottom end of the inclined erecting poles 2.

FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 illustrate a second embodiment of the presentinvention. This is an example of variation in the basic configuration ofthe portable folding hammock. It is generally similar as the firstembodiment. The differences lies on followings: (1) only one scissorlinkage being used that is third scissor linkage which consists of bar19 and 20 with hinge point 27. thus the length of the bed is shortened,(2) the multi-direction connector seat 22 is used only by lowerconnector 17 (refer to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7) and not by the upper connector15 which is slidably disposed over the inclined erecting poles 2 withoutconnecting with two leg bars 3, but connecting with one end of theX-scissor bar, (3) the lower connector 17 is fixed at the bottom end ofthe inclined erecting poles 2, which is hinged with two leg-bars beingin same plane, keeping an lateral aligned and stretched POSE and restingupon the ground.

The lower connector 17 also connects with an end of a X-scissor bar. Themulti-direction connector seat 22 also has two vertical erecting hingeplate 25, there is a lock-pin 24 fixed there between, and there are twolocking holes 23 opened thereon. The locking holes 23 is provided foraccommodating the spring-biased locking nipple 23′ to maintain anextended or collapsed condition of the leg-bars 3. In directionperpendicular to vertical erecting hinge plate 25 the seat has anotherpair of hinge plate 26 for connecting to a scissor linkage. The slidingupper connector 15 also has a locking function by means of a “pin-hole”construction. In order to prevent the inclined erecting poles from beingcollapsed owing to the sleeper's weight the locking hole (not shown) isopened above the upper sliding connector 15 on the inward surface ofinclined erecting pole 2 while the pin with a ring 16 is freely tied onany suitable place. The purpose of setting the locking “pin-hole”construction is to guarantee the stability of inclined erecting pole 2and prevent it from being collapsed and closed each together when theweight of human body act on the sleeping surface 12.

FIG. 8 illustrates the third embodiment of the present invention,wherein, the inclined erecting support means are two “A” shaped frames,each of them is substituted for the one-pole construction abovementioned to provide more stable support for the heavy weighted sleeper.In such a case, the suspended sleeping surface 12 is connected to thetop end of the inclined A-frame through rope fastener 13 and widthmaintaining bar 21. There are an upper sliding connector 15 and a lowerconnector 17 simultaneously disposed on each inclined tubing member ofthe “A” shaped frame. Between two “A” shaped frame there are two“X-shaped” scissor linkages, i.e. fourth and fifth scissor linkagesdisposed on each of the two side of the bed in longitudinal direction.Fourth scissor linkage consists of the bar 28 and 29 with a hinge point30, and fifth scissor linkage consists of the bar 31 and 32 with theirhinge point 33, which are connected between two A-frames side by side.The plane of the X-shaped scissor linkage runs parallel with thelongitudinal direction of suspended sleeping surface (12) of the bed.

Each A-frame includes a pair of inclined tubing members 2 hingedtogether at their upper end and normally spread apart by a cross-brace26 which can be collapsed to allow two tubing member 2 of the A-frame tofold together. The upper connector 15 is slidingly disposed over thetubing member 2 while the lower connector 17 is fixed at the bottom endof the tubing member 2, which all form a hinged connections with scissorbar 19, and 20.

FIG. 9 illustrates the multi-direction connecting seat, it can be usedeither for upper sliding connector or for lower connector, both areconnected with a pole. It can be disposed over or fixed at the bottomend of the inclined erecting pole for providing a hinged connection withscissor linkage and/or two leg bars. Each multi-direction connector seatmay provide 1 to 3 different directional hinged joint for connectingwith scissor linkage and/or leg bars, while being connected to the poleper se. Each hinged joint includes a pair of side erecting plate (i.e.hinge plates 25 and 26 are rotatably a fixed with a connecting pin). Thehinged connected means such as X-bars of scissor linkage or the bars ofa pair of leg, which have rectangular or square section, are hingedlyconnected thereon.

The present invention provides more flexible options to change thelength of the bed and its stabilities to meet different demands when itis in use. Through selecting the number of scissor-linkage can achievethe length changing of the bed, And the A-frame as an inclined erectingmember may maintain an inclined angle in respect to the ground toincrease the stabilities of the bed for support heavy weighted people.Such merits have not been found in the art.

Although the present invention has been fully described by way ofexamples with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be notedthat various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilledin the art. Therefore, unless such changes and modifications otherwisedepart from the scope of the present invention, they should be construedas being included therein.

1. A portable hammock comprising: a longitudinally arranged suspendedsleeping surface made of flexible materials which has a flexiblefastening means at its two longitudinally opposite ends for beingfastened on a position above and untouchable the ground; and a supportframe for providing an oscillating connection to said suspended sleepingsurface by means of flexible fastening mean characterized in that thesupport frame comprises a pair of erecting support means standing ateach end of longitudinally arranged suspended sleeping surface providinga rotating connection to said suspended sleeping surface, which have atleast one extensible x-shaped scissor linkage through connection meanshingedly connected therebetween, each said extensible x-shaped scissorlinkage has an one-point hinged joint constituted by two intersectedcross bars hingedly joining at their central position.
 2. A portablehammock according to claim 1, characterized in that said erectingsupport means are two inclined erecting support means, each of which isrespectively disposed at one end of two longitudinal opposite ends ofsaid suspended sleeping surface.
 3. A portable hammock according toclaim 2, characterized in that said inclined erecting support meansmaintain an inclined angle ranging from 45° to 85° in respect to theground.
 4. A portable hammock according to claim 3, characterized inthat said connection means is a lower connection seat fixed at bottomend of said inclined erecting poles, which has a hinged joint disposedon the inward surface thereof providing a connection with saidextensible x-shaped scissor linkage.
 5. A portable hammock according toclaim 4, characterized in that said lower connection seat has threehinged joints, in which there are two oppositely and alignedly disposedhinged joints is connected with a leg-bar respectively and lockably,said two leg bars lockably hinged with said lower connection seat, whichmaintains a substantial aligned horizontal pose resting upon the ground.6. A portable hammock according to claim 3, characterized in that saidconnection means is a upper sliding connection seat slidably diposedover the inclined erecting support means, which has one hinged jointdisposed on the inward surface thereof providing a connection with saidextensible x-shaped scissor linkage.
 7. A portable hammock according toclaim 6, characterized in that said connection means is a upper slidingconnection seat slidably diposed over the inclined erecting supportmeans, which is provided with three hinged joint, one is for connectionwith extensible x-shaped scissor linkage, the rest are lockablyconnected with the lag-bars which exhibit a “_” shaped pose.
 8. Aportable hammock according to claim 5 or 7, characterized in that saidseat and have a pair of hinge-plates for each of hinged joint, betweenwhich there is a hinge-pin fixed thereon, and on which there arelock-hole(s) being opened for accommodating the spring biased lock-pinto form a locking.
 9. A portable hammock according to claim 6 or 7,characterized in that said inclined erecting support means has athrough-hole on its inward surface for accommodating a insert-pin toprovide a stop with said upper sliding connection seat.
 10. A portablehammock according to claim 2, characterized in that said inclinederecting support means is an A-frame which is disposed at each of twolongitudinal opposite ends of said suspended sleeping surface, it isconstituted by two tubing bars inclinedly connected ted together attheir top ends, and there is a horizontal securing bar disposedtherebetween at a middle height level.
 11. A portable hammock accordingto claim 10, characterized in that between two “A” shaped inclined framewhich are used as said inclined erecting support means there is twoX-shaped scissor linkage respectively side by side disposed between twosaid “A” shaped frame, the plane of the X-shaped scissor linkage runparallel with the longitudinal direction of suspended sleeping surfaceof the bed.
 12. A portable hammock as in one of claims 1-7, 10-11, inwhich said longitudinally arranged flexible suspended sleeping surfacehas a width maintaining rigid bar at each longitudinal end thereof,through rope fastener and said rigid bar said suspended sleeping surfaceis connected to said securing hook of the inclined erecting supportmeans.
 13. A portable hammock as in one of claims 1-7, 10-11, in whichsaid inclined erecting support means have a pair of wheels mounted onthe foot part thereof.